Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 114

The fight started very excitingly, but the end was a little bit boring.

There were several reasons for this.

First, even Mount Hua hadn’t expected to win, so they didn’t plan any celebrations. So, even if they wanted to celebrate, it felt strange.

Second, because Sama Seung left like that, the Jongnam disciples had to awkwardly leave Mount Hua.

Lastly…

“Sect Leader! Can I talk to you?”

“Don’t push! I was here first!”

“Sect Leader! Just a moment! Sect Leader!”

As soon as Sama Seung and the Jongnam disciples awkwardly left, the important people from Shaanxi who had watched the fight surged forward like a wave towards Hyun Jong. Their faces were eager and their voices loud. They had seen Mount Hua’s amazing victory with their own eyes, and they knew they had to act fast.

‘We must make a deal with them now!’ one thought.

‘This is going to make a lot of money!’ another believed.

‘We can’t let the Eunha Merchant Guild get all the benefits!’ a third worried.

Even though Mount Hua hadn’t completely crushed Jongnam, it was clear to everyone that Mount Hua was becoming much stronger very quickly. In the world, money usually follows strength, and these businessmen could smell the money coming to Mount Hua.

“Why are you all acting like this? You should know better!” Hyun Young scolded loudly. The important people of Shaanxi flinched and glanced at Hyun Young.

‘Was I too harsh?’

‘That’s right. He is the sect leader of a major clan, after all. I should be a little more respectful…’

‘It’s understandable that he’s flustered, with everyone rushing at him at once.’

However, what Hyun Young said next was a little different from what they expected. Hyun Young’s face was beaming, his eyes sparkling with delight.

“You should talk about these things with me, the Head of the Jae Kyung Hall. I’ve prepared snacks, so please come this way. I have plenty of time today, so there’s no need to rush.”

“…”

“Ah, and just in case, I’ve also prepared rooms. If anyone needs a place to stay, please let me know anytime. Now, everyone, this way.”

“…”

As the influential figures watched Hyun Young walk towards the Jae Kyung Hall, humming a song, they knew that making a deal today wouldn’t be easy.

Before all the Jongnam disciples left, Chung Myung faced one person again.

“Thank you for your teachings.”

“…What?”

“Thank you, Young Taoist.”

Chung Myung stared at Lee Song-baek with a blank expression.

“The other senior brothers must be angry over there. Shouldn’t you avoid coming here and saying things like that?”

Lee Song-baek scratched his head, looking awkward.

“Well, we’re already half separated.”

Half? It didn’t seem like just half. Is he just hopeful? Or maybe he doesn’t understand the situation? The Jongnam disciples were already mentally tearing Lee Song-baek to pieces.

That was natural.

A traitor is always hated more than an enemy. From Jongnam’s view, Chung Myung was the worst enemy of all. They wouldn’t like Lee Song-baek talking to such a person.

But not caring about such things was just like Lee Song-baek.

“I didn’t understand what Young Taoist was saying before.”

Lee Song-baek said with a serious look.

“But now I think I understand what Young Taoist meant. And the path I must take.”

“…Um, I’m a disciple of Mount Hua, you know?”

Lee Song-baek smiled gently.

“What does a sect matter when you’re looking for a teacher? Anyone can be a teacher if they have something to teach.”

“Hey, um…”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever thought about joining a Taoist temple?”

You should go to Mount Hua. You seem more like a Taoist than I do.

“I’m already with Jongnam.”

Lee Song-baek smiled shyly and looked back. He could see Jin Geum-ryong being carried away, still not awake.

“My senior brother must have felt a lot from today’s match. Be careful. My senior brother is an amazing person. He will now train with Young Taoist as his goal. He will become stronger and more fearsome.”

“Yeah, well. Whatever.”

Lee Song-baek smiled sadly at Chung Myung’s uninterested reaction.

“These words probably don’t mean much to Young Taoist.”

Chung Myung would become stronger faster than Jin Geum-ryong. As time passed, the gap would only get bigger, never smaller. Lee Song-baek knew this well.

“I just wanted to say thank you. Then, until we meet again…”

“Wait a moment.”

This time, Chung Myung stopped Lee Song-baek.

“Yes?”

Chung Myung, who had called him, stared at Lee Song-baek without saying anything. After staring for a long time, Chung Myung spoke in a lower voice than before.

“It’s going to be a difficult path?”

“…”

Lee Song-baek sighed as he looked at Chung Myung.

“Young Taoist really seems to read people’s minds. I can’t hide anything.”

“Still going?”

Lee Song-baek nodded silently.

“It’s not a path I want to take. It’s a path I have to take, isn’t it?”

Chung Myung nodded quietly.

“Then.”

As Chung Myung watched Lee Song-baek return to his senior and junior brothers, he felt strange emotions.

Lee Song-baek would probably have to fight a lonely battle from now on. The Jongnam disciples who came here would never forget Chung Myung’s sword, and they would live with that sword as their goal.

In that situation, it wouldn’t be easy to protect Jongnam’s sword. People tend to reject and stay away from those who are different from them.

It would be a lonely and difficult fight, but…

“If he succeeds, he might become the hope of Jongnam someday.”

Chung Myung turned his head and looked at the third-generation disciples.

Seeing Jo Gul and the other senior brothers smiling foolishly, Chung Myung couldn’t help but sigh.

‘A disciple from another clan is so outstanding.’

Why are the disciples of this clan all like this!

If there was just one guy like Lee Song-baek, Chung Myung’s job would be twice as easy!

“Ugh.”

Chung Myung shook his head.

What could he do?

‘If I push them hard, they’ll become human.’

People will try their best with what they have. Complaining about what’s missing won’t help.

As Chung Myung watched the Jongnam disciples leave the mountain gate, he turned around.

This ended the matter with Jongnam for now. Chung Myung would no longer attack Jongnam first. They didn’t know it, but Chung Myung had already taken enough revenge.

So, does this end the relationship with Jongnam here?

“Of course not.”

Now, to Jongnam, Chung Myung had become not just a problem, but their number one enemy that they had to defeat.

That was understandable. If Chung Myung were the sect leader of Jongnam, he would try to defeat him by any means possible.

Because that was the only way Jongnam could survive.

“Then they’ll die.”

Chung Myung smiled with satisfaction.

At that moment, someone came running up to him urgently, calling his name.

“Chung Myung!”

It was Yoon Jong.

“What is it, Senior Brother?”

“Come quickly. The Sect Leader is looking for you!”

“…”

A slightly annoyed look appeared on Chung Myung’s face.

‘It’s starting.’

He looked up at the sky.

‘I should have been less obvious.’

In fact, these events were more like causing trouble than achieving something.

Hadn’t he beaten all the second-generation disciples of Jongnam in front of the elders and created plum blossoms with his sword?

Of course, the Sect Leader and the elders would have questions. Until now, the martial arts contest had been going on, so they couldn’t do anything, but now that it was over, the questions would come out.

‘What excuse should I make?’

Actually, I’m your ancestor?

Ah, that’s not it.

I just found a secret manual and learned it?

Ah, that’s not it either.

“Ugh.”

Chung Myung scratched his head, unable to think of an excuse, and Yoon Jong tilted his head.

“What are you doing? Let’s go quickly.”

“Okay.”

Chung Myung sighed deeply.

Aigo, what is my fate?

Now I have to make excuses even after winning.

Sect Leader, are you watching? Is this how I have to live?

– Then die.

Hey, this guy!

Just because you’re dead, you’re being too harsh!

Chung Myung finally walked to the Sect Leader’s room like a cow being led to slaughter. Judging from the number of shoes in front of the room, it seemed that the elders and first-generation disciples were also there.

“Sect Leader. It’s Yoon Jong. I’ve brought Chung Myung.”

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

Yoon Jong told Chung Myung to go inside.

“…”

Yoon Jong gestured again.

“…”

“What are you doing, you rascal? Go in!”

“Ugh…”

Chung Myung reluctantly sighed and opened the door.

Now, once I go in, a lot of questions will come out…

“Ooooooh! Chung Myung has arrived!”

“Kuh! So handsome! So handsome! Our Chung Myung is so handsome!”

“…”

What?

As soon as he entered, the elders and first-generation disciples who were waiting all started clapping like excited children, their serious expressions replaced with wide, happy grins.

Seeing these usually serious men clapping and cheering made him feel very, very strange.

‘Why are these people like this?’

Looking up, everyone was smiling. They looked like they were about to bloom plum blossoms with their faces, since they couldn’t do it with their swords.

Seeing Hyun Jong sitting in the middle, with his mouth almost reaching his ears, Chung Myung realized something new.

‘Ah, they’ve never been this happy before.’

Seeing the elders laughing as if plum blossoms and whatnot didn’t matter, Chung Myung felt a strange mix of unease and emotion.

What should I say?

It was like the feeling of a father who couldn’t even afford to buy a proper meat dish…

While feeling a sense of sadness, Hyun Jong spoke.

“Yes. Chung… Pu-hub! Yes, Chung Myung… Keuk!”

Hyun Jong lowered his head and covered his mouth with his hand. He seemed happy just saying the name Chung Myung.

“Keuheum!”

The Sect Leader cleared his throat. But his face was red, and he still seemed to be struggling to hold back his laughter.

“Yes. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I just have a slight cut.”

“The wound might get infected, so go to the medical hall when you leave here.”

Then Hyun Sang glared.

“We should call the head of the medical hall! Why are you making a busy person come and go?”

“…That sounds a bit strange. Who’s busy?”

“That child is busy! What does the head of the medical hall even do!”

“…”

Hyun Jong stared blankly at Hyun Sang, but he puffed out his chest as if he were proud. Everyone there nodded as if it were normal.

“…Then do as you wish.”

“Yes, Sect Leader.”

“If you’re a disciple of Mount Hua…”

Just then…

Bang!

The door opened, and Hyun Young burst in!

“Sect Leader! The businessmen are giving us money! Haha! Money is flowing in like crazy! I’ve never heard of making money from a martial arts contest before! That guy is a money god! A money god! Now he’s even earning money by doing martial arts… Chung Myung, you rascal! You were here!”

Hyun Young rushed at Chung Myung and grabbed his cheeks, pulling them wide, like he was playing with a doll.

Chung Myung, with his cheeks stretched out, stared blankly at the ceiling.

Sect Leader.

This is how I live. This is how I live.

Now, someone who isn’t even old enough to be my grandson is grabbing my cheeks like this. Yes? Is this how I have to live? Yes?

“Hlep mheeee, Shecth Lheeader.”

“Hahaha? What? Yes, yes. I’m happy too! Hahahahaha!”

The adults of Mount Hua had all lost their minds.